DISTRICT
Hunter mayors push for reinvestment of coal royalties
‘SWEPT AWAY’
By John WATTS
Shire Mayor Digby Rayward, Singleton Mayor Sue Moore, Lord Mayor of Newcastle Dr Ross Kerridge, and Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold.
Wendy BUSWELL 0415 124 960 wendy@newsofthearea.com.au
MEMBER for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to “be honest about the financial blow his government has inflicted on coal communities like the Hunter”.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly during Question Time on 25 March, Mr Layzell questioned Mr Minns on the programs in place to support mining communities after the axing of the Resources for Regions fund.
“After the election, he (Minns) increased coal royalty rates for Hunter Valley coal, which will add around $5 billion to the Government coffers this year,” Mr Layzell said.
“At the same time, his Government also axed the Resources for Regions fund, which compensated towns for the social impact of mining on their
CLASSIFIEDS
THE MidCoast’s first draft Walking, Cycling and Trailbased Activities Strategy is available for community review until Wednesday 7 May.
“Walking and cycling are very popular activities and we are working closely with our community to develop a 10-year strategy that helps people enjoy them,” said MidCoast
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communities.
“What programs does he have to support mining communities?”
In a statement to media, Mr Layzell said coal-producing regions are being starved of funding while producing the largest export income for NSW.
He said Resources for Regions funding allocations were about returning coal royalties to the regions most impacted by coal mining, including funds for councils to address local issues.
“There are many social impacts that mining communities shoulder as a result of having a local economy almost entirely dependent on mining,” Mr Layzell said.
“Some examples are that mining communities put up with the dust and air quality issues, general noise and the visual impact of coal production
Council’s Director of Liveable Communities, Paul De Szell.
In 2022, the community provided information about their preferred walk/cycle routes and trail-based activities.
This feedback was used to develop the Open Spaces and Recreation Strategy.
on their lives.
“Shift work rosters have an impact in how people can socialise together including how they are able to support local sporting clubs.
“A high demand for workers means that it is expensive for building and housing.
“Hot bedding of DIDO (Drive in, Drive out) workers in the community affects rental affordability.
“This is our normal day to day lives as well as increasing the local pressures on families who are not directly involved in mining.”
Responding to Mr Layzell in parliament, Premier Minns said the decision to cut the Resources for Regions fund was made to address “urgent needs in NSW”, and done in consultation with the mining sector.
“We spoke with them right through the
“In 2024, we took that feedback to the community to help us develop this strategy.
“The draft strategy has actions to improve walking, cycling and trailbased experiences across our region,” said Mr De Szell.
Council is now seeking community feedback on the draft strategy,
implementation of that change,” Mr Minns said.
“The truth of the matter is we were selling between $30 and $50 billion worth of coal to export markets each year, and the past two or three years were record years for NSW.
“We spoke with the industry and said that it was necessary to pay teachers, ensure that police officers were in regional communities and that we could complete essential infrastructure projects necessary for the NSW economy.”
Mr Minns said he was happy to compare his
which has been prepared considering all of the feedback provided over those consultations.
Other suggestions received form part of Council's Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan and are included in that plan.
You can view the plan at www.midcoast.nsw. gov.au/walkandcycle and
government’s spending on Hunter communities with that of the Opposition, “any day of the week”.
“I make the point that $400 million has been put into the Regional Development Trust Fund, with $37 million allocated to initiatives under the first phase and $50 million allocated to the second phase through the Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program.
“The initiatives that the Government is rolling out are important, particularly for coalmining communities.”
leave any feedback until Wednesday 7 May.
If you’re not online, you can drop your written feedback into one of Council's customer service centres or send to PO Box 482 Taree NSW 2430. All feedback will be considered for inclusion in the final draft Walking, Cycling and Trails-based Activity Strategy.
FROM Page 1
to enable Hunter councils to:
- Pilot the reactivation and repurposing of current and former mining lands and infrastructure, across a range of scenarios, to create urgently needed new employment lands across the region.
and accelerate industry attraction, skills development and job creation urgently needed as the Hunter’s economy rapidly transforms away from coal.
- Directly de-risk industry investment and strategically inform
or 8ac apx.)
• Location: Close to town (20min) with all town services, less than 1hr to beach and 90min to Barrington Tops
Last week, mayors from Dungog, Newcastle, Maitland and Singleton visited Bloomfield mine in
Maitland to highlight the potential for repurposing the site.
“Sites like Bloomfield can be transformed to create new employment opportunities,” the HJO said in a statement.
“The Mayors have a plan with $20.7 million in proposed pilot projects
• Improvements: Renovated farmhouse w studio, garage/w’shop & machinery shed
•
• Sustainability: Hybrid
to map coal mine sites, develop action plans, and create master plans for future use.
“If just one percent of mining royalties were directed to support our communities, it would generate approximately $133 million over the next four years.”
q Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell. Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.
FROM Page 1
and he has been washed away into the floodwaters,“ said NSW State Emergency Service Deputy Commissioner Deb Platz.
Police media also suggested that the man had attempted to drive across a flooded causeway.
However in comments posted on Facebook, fellow camper Nadia Buller said, “He was already on his way out to higher ground when the water rose within seconds.
“He did not deliberately
drive into floodwaters.
“Out of respect for this man, my husband tried his best to help him.”
Sheree Gourly added, “he didn’t drive into the causeway, he was swept away trying to leave.
“Have a heart for the poor man and all the people that unfortunately witnessed it and couldn’t do a thing to help.”
Officers from the Manning Great Lakes Police District established a command post close to the scene and commenced an operation
involving PolAir, the State Emergency Service (SES) and the Rural Fire Service (RFS).
As of Monday morning, the vehicles had been located but it remained unclear whether the driver was inside.
The search was set to continue as floodwaters receded.
Like much of the Mid North Coast, Gloucester was drenched by over 100mm of rain on Saturday 29 March.
It resulted in a sharp rise in nearby river levels, including the Barnard River on Thunderbolts Way, just to the west of Gloucester, which broke its banks around 10pm Saturday.
“An estimated 22 people were safe but unable to leave the campground, which was surrounded by floodwaters,” police said in a statement.
“A PolAir crew landed on the campground about 3am [Sunday] and confirmed the campers were safe and did not want to be evacuated.”
However, this suggestion is also in dispute.
“I was there, one of the 22 campers caught in the flood and at no point did we say that we didn’t want to be evacuated,” Tiff Jane posted.
Elsewhere, the Gloucester River at Gloucester peaked at 4.50 metres around 6pm Saturday evening, with minor flooding.
Locals were advised by the SES to monitor conditions.
Emergency services remind drivers not to enter floodwaters.
By Wendy BUSWELL
STUDENTS at St Joseph’s School in Gloucester have been collaborating with professional writer and illustrator Sami Bayly to create their own children’s book.
A school assembly on Friday, 21 March, provided a platform for the soft launch of the book titled “A Fire In The Tops.”
In an interview with News Of The Area, principal Amy Maslen said, “We wanted to develop students' engagement with writing and help them understand the connections between images and words in picture books.”
The project has been a school-wide effort with
Year 4, 5, and 6 teacher
Sophie Emerson playing a crucial role in the process.
“Every student in the school has contributed to the book including last year’s Year 6 group who came back to work with Sami,” Ms Maslen said.
Sami Bayly is an award-winning author and illustrator from Newcastle, known for works such as “The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals” and “The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals”.
The students began brainstorming ideas last year and, with Sami’s assistance, completed the book in under three weeks this term.
“Gloucester has
experienced several natural disasters, and we wanted the students to consider how these events impact the environment and animals,” Ms Maslen said.
The students chose bushfires as the basis for their story, decided on the animal characters, and structured the story using the orientation, complication, climax, and resolution framework.
“I didn’t think I would ever have the chance to illustrate and write a real book,” said Year 5 student Hamish McGregor.
“It took a long time to refine the language. We had to change words to make them more exciting and descriptive.
“I learned about the water vine that grows in the Copeland area, which helps put out fires.”
“Sami was incredibly helpful,” said Year 6 student Rebel Rejo.
“We learned about motifs and how to frame our illustrations, realising that pictures play a significant role in telling the story.”
“Fire In The Tops” is currently with the editor, and the final hard copy will be launched later this year.
q Camper Chloe Bell posted this shot of the Gloryvale Bridge over the Manning River as the water rose.
q Rakesh Srinivasaiah was camping by the river and left before the causeway flooded. Photo: NSW Incidents Alert, Facebook.
q The causeway across the river at Bretti Reserve. Photo: supplied MidCoast Council.
q Sami Bayly at the soft launch of ‘Fire In The Tops’. Photo: supplied.
Community Conversations hit the road
Conver-
“COMMUNITY
sations” sessions will take place across the MidCoast local government area in coming months.
Mayor Claire Pontin said it was an opportunity for valuable interactions between Council and the community.
“It is an important way we can meet you and exchange ideas and
information,” she said.
“We’ll talk to you about how we’re tackling matters of concern to our community such as road conditions and our financial sustainability, but we are there to listen too.
“We’d love to see full halls for these conversations because the more we understand each other and work together, the better
the outcomes will be for our communities.
“However, it’s important to remember that we can’t do everything.”
The sessions offer the opportunity to provide feedback on Council’s fouryear Delivery Plan, the draft of which will be available for community feedback from 2 May – 6 June.
Everybody is welcome to
attend.
Community groups, schools and organisations are encouraged to send along a representative.
If you can’t make the Conversation in the area where you live, you are welcome to attend one at another location.
The following sessions have been organised within the News Of The Area
coverage area:
Bulahdelah: Bulahdelah School of Arts Hall, Tuesday 6 May, 2:30 – 4pm
Wootton: Wootton Community Centre, Tuesday 6 May, 5:30 – 7pm
Nabiac: Nabiac Showground Hall, Monday 19 May, 5:30 – 7pm
Tea Gardens: Hawks Nest Community Centre, Monday 26 May, 2:30 – 4pm
Heightened risk of feral deer
WITH deer breeding season fast approaching, the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions is reminding communities of the heightened risk of feral deer on the road as well as increased activity and damage across Australia’s landscapes, including in suburban streets.
Dr Annelise Wiebkin, National Deer Management
Coordinator, says feral deer cause serious damage in farmland, native bushland and urban areas and that breeding season is a particularly critical time to notice their presence and manage their impacts.
“Feral deer activity will intensify in coming weeks, so people may see deer more often or even for the first time in a new area,” she said.
“It’s important the community reports sightings on the free DeerScan app.
“We have a small window of opportunity to track their spread and support control efforts, particularly in areas where feral deer numbers are still low.
“Feral deer trash and eat native vegetation, ringbark trees, create wallows, trample undergrowth and spread weed seeds, all things that threaten the survival of
native flora and fauna,” Dr Wiebkin said.
Last year, Hunter Local Land Services said there were four species of feral deer in the Hunter region.
The Centre’s Chief Executive Officer, Shauna Chadlowe, warns that feral deer are becoming an increasing concern to communities across the country, with extreme weather events – such as droughts, floods and fires –pushing them into new areas.
“It’s astonishing – deer have now spread to every state and territory in Australia.
"In fact, nearly a quarter of New South Wales and Tasmania, and almost half of Victoria are now home to established populations.
"Their numbers have increased tenfold in recent decades,” she said.
Quick survey to help understand recycling
MIDCOAST Council is asking residents to complete a short survey to share their thoughts on the kerbside waste collection service and other waste services in the area.
The survey only takes about eight minutes and is completely anonymous.
As an extra incentive,
the first 25 people to finish the survey will receive a free compost kitchen caddy.
Council’s Waste Manager, Dave Rees said the feedback would be instrumental in making recycling easier for everyone.
“This survey is an important part of our goal to reduce waste to landfill by
70 percent by 2030,” he said.
“We’ve recently partnered with VISY Recycling, and this survey will help us better understand what residents know about recycling and how we can improve the way we support you.”
In addition to the online survey, some residents may
Gloucester: Gloucester Council Chambers, Thursday 19 June, 2:30 – 4pm
Stroud: Stroud School of Arts Hall, Thursday 19 June, 5:30 – 7pm
Questions can be asked impromptu or provided in advance at https:// haveyoursay.midcoast. nsw.gov.au/communityconversations.
Ms Chadlowe said reporting feral deer sightings and signs is crucial.
“Every Australian can play a role by reporting feral deer sightings or signs, like tracks and damage.
“These reports… help drive coordinated efforts to control new deer populations before they spiral out of control. “By acting now, we can stop their spread and save Australia millions of dollars each year,” she added.
Feral deer also hit the farming community hard, with Ted Rowley, Independent Chair of the National Feral Deer Action Plan Committee underscoring the importance of control efforts.
“Farmers are fed up: deer cause $69 million in agricultural productivity losses and $4.5 million in vehicle and train collisions each year. The Plan is key to stopping these losses," he said.
be contacted for a short telephone survey starting in late March.
The results of this survey will help the Council improve recycling services and ensure that valuable recyclable materials don’t end up in landfills. It’s all part of the Council’s effort to work with the community to create a more sustainable future.
You can take the survey here:
https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/ MidCoastWasteSurvey
q There are thought to be four species of feral deer in the Hunter region. Photo: Darryn Mundt.
q Feral deer trash and eat native vegetation, ringbark trees, create wallows, trample undergrowth and spread weed seeds. Photo: Peter Bradford.
q Reporting feral deer sightings and signs is crucial in control efforts. Photo: Francesca Bowman.
Alarm raised as tough on crime policy 'infects' nation
By Keira JENKINS, AAP
ABORIGINAL and Torres Strait
Islander children are being set up for a life of suffering, legal services say, as 'tough on crime' policy sweeps the country.
More state and territory governments are locking up children at increasing rates, and not listening to community or evidence about what is best for kids, according to National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services chair Karly Warner.
"These new laws that we're seeing infect the majority of state and territory governments ... are really dangerous," she told AAP.
"They're going to backfire and compound the disadvantage and trauma experienced by too many of our young people and communities."
The Northern Territory Government has lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10, reformed bail legislation and reintroduced the use of spit hoods.
Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" policy, introduced
in 2024, means children face the same maximum sentences as adults for a number of offences, including life sentences for murder, manslaughter and grievous bodily harm.
The state has also criminalised breach of bail for children.
Changes to bail
legislation in NSW and Victoria have also attracted the concern of legal services and justice advocates.
Imprisoning children has never worked to curb crime, Ms Warner said, instead it can make young people more likely to become "trapped in an ongoing cycle" of incarceration.
In NSW and the ACT, Ms Warner said there's been a 270 percent increase in the number of bail applications going to the Supreme Court, and an increase in demand in legal services to go with it.
"There's been no reciprocal increase in funding to try and cope with these dangerous laws
that governments around the country are creating," she said.
"What that means is that not only are children impacted by the laws themselves but they're more likely to get trapped in the criminal justice system if they're unable to get the help they need.
"Ultimately what that means is that we've got children who are more traumatised, exposed to a life of crime and they're more likely to go on cycling into adult prisons and making communities more
dangerous."
Ms Warner said it is not too late for governments to re-think youth justice laws in their jurisdictions.
"We have seen the tragic consequences of punitive, tough on crime politicking that drives mass incarceration of Aboriginal children with the death of Aboriginal teenagers in youth detention," she said.
"What is it going to take for government to realise that they are ruining children's lives and they are making communities more dangerous."
Authorised by Dave Layzell MP,
q A crackdown on youth crime around the country will backfire and harm children, advocates say. Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS.
Parties power through energy costrelief measures
By Andrew BROWN, AAP
SETTING aside more gas for the domestic market or direct subsidies for power bills are being offered by major parties in a pitch for energy bill relief.
Touring coal country areas in the Hunter on the campaign trail, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said coalition plans to set up a domestic gas reserve would bring down power bills and ensure supply.
"Gas is not just used at home, but natural gas is used to generate electricity, and it will be across the economy, not just in households," he told reporters on Monday.
"Prices will be cheaper under us. Labor's offering is uncertainty, blackouts, brownouts and much higher electricity and gas prices."
Labor has already pledged it will provide subsidies of $75 per quarter until the end of the year.
The federal government is also expected to outline plans in coming days to make it easier for homeowners to buy household batteries, according to reports in Nine newspapers.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the government had been working to make gas prices come down during its three years in office.
She said the coalition's east coast gas reserve plan was merely a distraction from the opposition's proposal to build seven nuclear reactors by the mid 2030s, including one in the Hunter.
"Past performance is a predictor of future performance, and we inherited a bin fire from them, and they've opposed every step we've taken to reduce gas prices over this term in government," she told ABC radio.
"We've strengthened the Australian domestic gas security mechanism so we can direct gas to be reserved for domestic use if there is a shortfall."
The opposition leader said there was still support in regional communities earmarked for nuclear reactors for the power plants to be built.
"There is a much higher energy IQ in these communities than what we see in the cities," he said.
"As we've seen in the UK, in the US and in Canada, there's about almost an 80 percent transfer of jobs from the coal sector across to the nuclear sector.
“So our plan underpins the economic success of our country for the next century."
While the opposition leader said the gas reserve plan would lower energy
bills, he has not given a dollar amount as to how much households would save.
Coalition campaign spokesman James Paterson says the plan to set aside gas meant for exporting for domestic use will bring down energy prices, despite concern from gas companies.
"If that's necessary to drive the gas into the domestic market, then we're prepared to resort to fines to
drive it into the markets (if they don't comply)," Senator Paterson told ABC radio on Monday.
"We've got hundreds of years of supply under our feet. We just have to take advantage of it."
Anthony Albanese began Monday in Western Australia, which helped Labor secure victory in 2022.
The prime minister will unveil federal funding of $200 million for an upgrade of a Perth hospital alongside
WA Premier Roger Cook.
It's expected the upgrade will be among several healthrelated announcements made by Labor this week.
It comes as fresh tariffs set to be imposed by US President Donald Trump threatens to cast a shadow on the election campaign.
The announcement of the tariff expansion on Wednesday has been touted as "Liberation Day" by Mr Trump, with fears Australia could be affected.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the relationship between Australia and the US remained strong despite the tariff threat.
"The alliance remains fundamentally important in terms of our bilateral relationship," he told ABC TV.
"We will be focused on our national interest and any arrangements that we do, with any country including the United States, will have Australia's national interest at the forefront."
By Stephanie GARDINER, AAP
Rural birth care 'crisis' looms amid staff shortages
ONE rural birthing unit "teeters on the brink" and goes from "one disaster to the next" due to severe staff shortages.
Another maternity service in a farming town of 15,000 closed four years after opening its doors, forcing specialists and medical workers out of town.
Fly-in-fly-out locum doctors prop up two birthing units in a prosperous agricultural district in northern NSW.
Those are some of the stories about the state of maternity care across rural NSW that have led a parliamentary committee to declare a looming crisis.
"A decline in rural maternity services is detrimental for women, their families and the broader health system in remote, rural and regional NSW," the parliamentary committee's report published on Thursday says.
"As a result of unavailable and/or understaffed birthing and obstetric services, the committee heard that women... are being required to travel for up to hundreds of kilometres."
Many of those challenges are experienced nationwide, with half of Australia's birthing
units closing between 1990 and 2015 and only 15 percent of obstetricians working in rural areas.
The NSW committee has spent years looking into what progress has been made in rural health care since a damning 2022 inquiry found people in country areas have far worse medical outcomes.
Its second report, which largely focuses on access to maternity care, mental health services and paediatricians in the bush, paints an equally dire picture nearly three years on.
The committee found many pediatricians working in regional public hospitals no longer have the capacity to see non-emergency patients, leaving children with developmental conditions adrift.
Waiting lists to see a public pediatrician in the regions can vary from 18 months to six years.
Royal Far West, a charity connecting rural families to specialists, gave evidence that children with developmental delays are presenting at 10, by which time their conditions are much harder to address.
Rural mental health care and drug and alcohol services also did not improve since the 2022
inquiry, remaining at breaking point due to staff shortages, the committee found.
Although NSW Health executives gave evidence of reforms to improve rural care, the report says, there was a "significant divide" between the government's view and staff and patients' experiences.
"The committee's impression from the government response is that NSW Health is still not approaching some areas of regional health reform with an appropriate sense of urgency," it says.
The committee makes 32 recommendations, including an urgent assessment of rural maternity units to develop a plan to re-establish services.
After evidence that obstetricians consider rural work "dangerous" and "undesirable", the committee recommends NSW Health work with training colleges to identify and remove barriers.
Audits and investigations of cancer care, palliative care and drug and alcohol services are also recommended.
The NSW government will formally respond to the report at a later date.
q Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton enters a mine cruiser during a visit to the Cougar Mining Equipment facility in Tomago. Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas.
q Poor rural maternity services are forcing women to travel hundreds of kilometres for care. Photo: Tracey Nearmy/AAP PHOTOS.
BEST ON THE BOX
SUNDAY
AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR
TEN, 7pm
After last night’s tribal council, the numbers have well and truly fallen on the Brains side and the members of the “Postgraduate alliance” – Kaelan, Myles, AJ and Zara – should be riding high. The quartet easily outnumbers the two remaining Brawns, Kate and Morgan, so choosing who to eliminate next is straightforward, right? Wrong. With the end game in sight, the allies realise that just one player turning could see their hard-won advantage crumble. Adding fuel to the fire is host Jonathan LaPaglia (pictured), who shares an explosive twist at tribal council.
FRIDAY, April 4
Hard Quiz. (PG, R) 7.00 ABC News. 7.35 Gardening Australia.
Under The Vines. (Final, PG) Daisy finally makes it to the altar.
The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R) A satirical news program.
Hard Quiz. (PG, R)
10.20 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)
10.55 ABC Late News.
11.10 Father Brown. (PGav, R)
11.55 Grand Designs Revisited. (PG, R)
12.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)
1.30 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)
5.00 Rage. (PG)
TUESDAY
THE AGENDA SETTERS
SEVEN, 10.30pm
By now even the most casual viewer of AFL commentary might have noticed that things look a little different on the box this year. There’s a free-toair footy war heating up – and so far, audiences are the clear winners. With matches, news and opinion programming on every day of the week, there’s no excuse for not knowing a Daniher from a Daicos. Airing on Monday and Tuesday nights, this new home of hard-hitting viewpoints and expert analysis showcases Seven’s recent signings: Kane Cornes, Craig Hutchison, Nick Riewoldt and Caroline Wilson (pictured). In tonight’s edition, Cornes leads the charge, with Wilson, Dale Thomas and Luke Hodge tackling the biggest topics of the game.
WEDNESDAY
THE HANDMAID’S TALE
It’s been a long road for heroic former handmaid June (Elisabeth Moss, pictured) in this dystopian drama. Over five seasons (which began airing in 2017), this addictive adaptation has gone far beyond the pages of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel; taking June to Chicago and Canada, as well as adding details and diversity to the famed story, sharing other perspectives on life in Gilead. Its sixth and final chapter begins tonight as June returns to Gilead to finish what she started – securing the freedom of her fellow handmaids – this time, with more allies on her side than ever before. Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) is also back, with a plan to reform the regime from the inside.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 The Hunt For Cleopatra’s Missing Tomb. (PGa, R)
8.25 Bettany Hughes’ Lost Worlds: Nabataeans. (PG)
9.25 Scotland’s Scenic Railways. (R)
10.20 SBS World News Late.
10.50 A Body That Works. (Mls)
11.50 Romulus. (MA15+av, R)
1.40 Hugh’s Wild West. (PG, R)
3.40 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R)
4.35 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Hosted by Johanna Griggs.
8.30 MOVIE: Pitch Perfect. (2012, Mls, R) A university freshman is coaxed into joining an all-girl a cappella group. Before they can take on their rivals, they must first revamp their new recruits, incorporating their unique style into their repertoire. Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson.
10.50 The Americas: Mexico. (PG, R)
12.00 MOVIE: Trapped Daughter. (2021, MA15+av, R) Shellie Sterling.
2.00 Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) 5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 5. South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters.
9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the South Sydney Rabbitohs versus Sydney Roosters match, with news and analysis.
10.45 MOVIE: The Foreigner. (2017, MA15+alv, R) A restaurateur seeks justice. Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan.
12.40 Tipping Point. (PG, R)
1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)
4.30 Global Shop. (R)
5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
5.30 Postcards. (PG, R)
6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer. 6.30 The Project. A look at the day’s news. 7.30 Soccer. Women’s international friendly. Australia v Korea Republic. From Allianz Stadium, Sydney. 10.30 10’s Late News. Coverage of news, sport and weather. 10.55 Sam Pang Tonight. (Mals, R) A weekly tonight show hosted by Sam Pang, featuring a monologue roasting the news of the week. 11.55 The Project. (R) 12.55 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
SATURDAY, April 5
6.15 Father Brown. (PGav) Father Brown’s friend is suspect of murder.
7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.
7.30 Death In Paradise. (Ma) The team looks into a tourist’s death.
8.30 Vera. (Ma, R) DCI Vera Stanhope is on track to uncover an intriguing yet puzzling case when the body of a sickly young girl is discovered at the side of an isolated railway crossing.
10.00 Unforgotten. (Ml, R) The team discovers Gerry’s nationalist views.
10.50 Boat Story. (MA15+l, R) Janet and Samuel celebrate their newfound riches. 11.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 8.10 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. 8.50 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.35 Speechless. 9.55 Officially Amazing. 10.25 Dragon Ball Super. 10.50 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 The Wonders Of Europe.
8.30 Blenheim: The People Behind The Palace.
9.25 Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy: Naples And The Amalfi Coast. (R) 10.15 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (R) 11.15 Paris Paris. (Mls, R)
1.45 Bamay. (R)
1.59 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (R) 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
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6am Arthur And The Two Worlds War. Continued. (2010, PG) 7.30 The Magic Of Belle Isle. (2012, PG) 9.35 Fantastic Mr. Fox. (2009, PG) 11.10 Love Songs For Tough Guys. (2021,
SUNDAY, April 6
6.30 Compass: Meditating For Change. (PG)
7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Darby And Joan. (PGa) Jack and Joan’s winery stay is disrupted.
8.15 Unforgotten. (Mal) The team finds suspects further afield.
9.05 Boat Story. (MA15+dlv) Janet and Samuel are caught in the crossfire.
10.05 MOVIE: Ali’s Wedding. (2017, Mal, R) Osamah Sami.
11.50 You Can’t Ask That. (MA15+as, R)
12.25 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.00 Ask The Doctor. (PG, R)
3.30 Gardening Australia. (R)
4.30 Insiders. (R)
6am Children’s Programs. 5.45pm Tish Tash. 5.50 Paddington. 6.05 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey. 6.25 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 6.35 Hey Duggee. 6.40 Ben And Holly. 7.00 Supertato. 7.05 Riley Rocket. 7.20 Bluey. 7.30 Shaun The Sheep. 7.35 Moominvalley. 8.00 Horrible Histories. 8.30 Fresh Off The Boat. 9.10 Abbott Elementary. 9.55 Speechless. 10.15 Merlin. 11.00 Late Programs.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Ancient Empires. (Premiere)
9.25 Maya: The Fall Of An Empire: The Maya: Demise Of An Empire. 10.30 Mayhem: Secret Lives Of Georgian Kings. (PGav, R) 11.25 Rebel With A Cause. (PGa, R) 12.25 Empires Of New York. (Madl, R)
2.55 Britain’s Great Outdoors. (R)
3.25 Fergal Keane: Living With PTSD. (MA15+avw, R)
4.25 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.15 France 24 Feature.
5.30 Al Jazeera News.
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6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)
7.30 MOVIE: Central Intelligence. (2016, Mlsv, R) An accountant and a CIA agent work a case. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart.
9.45 MOVIE: Battle Los Angeles. (2011, Mlv, R) US Marines battle aliens. Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez. 12.10 Idris Elba Meets Paul McCartney. (PGa, R)
1.10 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 It’s Academic. (R)
5.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PG, R)
6.00 NBN News.
7.00 A Current Affair.
7.30 Space Invaders. (PGa)
8.30 MOVIE: Black Adam. (2022, Mav, R)
10.50 MOVIE: Shazam! (2019, Mav, R)
1.10 Let’s Eat With George. (R)
1.35 The Garden Gurus. (R)
2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PG)
2.15 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 World’s Greatest Natural Icons. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.30 Global Shop. (R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 5.30 Helping Hands. (PG, R)
8.30 Gogglebox Australia. (R) TV fanatics open up their living rooms to reveal their reactions to popular and topical TV shows. 9.30 Ambulance Australia. (Ma, R) A code 1 comes in for a two-year-old.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Australian Idol. (PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. 8.40 7NEWS Spotlight. Liam Bartlett uncovers the dirty truth behind so-called clean, green electric vehicles.
9.40 Waco Untold: The British Stories. (Premiere, MA15+asv) Takes a look at the Branch Davidians.
12.00 The Bay. (Mal, R)
1.00 My Greek Odyssey. (PGl, R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News.
5.30 Sunrise.
See No Evil. (Mav)
ABC FAMILY (22)
MONDAY, April 7
6.00
6am Children’s Programs. 6.05pm PJ Masks Power Heroes. 6.15 Bluey.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.35 Milan With Michael Portillo. (PG)
8.25 Pompeii: The New Dig. (PGa, R) 9.35 24 Hours In Emergency. (Ma)
10.30 SBS World News Late.
11.00 Syndrome E. (MA15+s) 12.00 Infiniti. (MA15+av, R)
2.00 Hugh’s Wild West. (R) 3.05 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R)
4.00 Bamay. (R) 4.30 Peer To Peer. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 Australian Idol. (Final, PGl) Hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie.
9.10 9-1-1: Lone Star. (Ma) The 126 is called on the scene to a hoarder’s rat-infested house before being trapped in an elevator. 10.10 Suits L.A. (M) 11.10 The Agenda Setters. 12.10 Treadstone. (Premiere, MA15+av)
1.20 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 To Be Advised. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News.
A Current Affair.
Married At First Sight. (Mls)
Love Triangle. (Return, Mls) Singles meet for a date after only texting.
9News Late.
Police After Dark. (Mlv, R)
Next Stop.
Tipping Point. (PG, R)
TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)
6am The Movie
Show. 6.20 The Importance Of Being Earnest. (2002) 8.00 Phar Lap. (1983, PG) 10.10 Ordinary Happiness. (2019, M, Italian) 11.50 Sex, Lies And Videotape. (1989, M) 1.40pm Horrible Histories: The Movie. (2019, PG) 3.25 Heidi. (2015, PG, German) 5.30 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 7.30 Couch Potatoes. (2017, M, Italian) 9.30 Usogui. (2022, Japanese) 11.45 Late Programs.
TUESDAY, April 8
6.00
(R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (PGa, R)
8.30 Insight. 9.30 Dateline.
10.00 SBS World News Late.
10.30 Guillaume’s Paris. (R) 11.00 Snow. (Mal) 11.55 Illegals. (MA15+av, R)
1.45 Hugh’s Wild West. (PGa, R) 3.55 Inside The Modelling Agency. (Ml, R) 4.50 Destination Flavour China Bitesize. (PGaw, R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
3.30 Fashionista. 3.40 News. 3.45 WorldWatch. 5.45 History’s Crazy Rich Ancients. 6.10 Mysteries From Above. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 James May: Our Man In...
6am Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 8.05 Percy Vs Goliath. (2020, PG) 10.00 These Days. (2016, M, Italian) 12.15pm Marriage Italian Style. (1964, M, Italy) 2.10 White Lion. (2010, PG) 3.50 The Final Countdown. (1980, PG) 5.45 Emu Runner. (2018, PG) 7.35 Falcon Lake. (2022, M) 9.30 Motherhood. (2022, Japanese) 11.45 Gloria Bell. (2018, M) 1.40am Usogui. (2022, Japanese) 3.50 Late Programs.
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(64) SBS MOVIES (32) SBS MOVIES (32)
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 7.30 The Americas: The Wild West. (PG)
8.30 The Hunting Party. (M) The team tracks Jenna Wells. 9.30 The Irrational. (Mav) Alec must extract a confession. 10.30 The Agenda Setters.
11.30 St. Denis Medical. (PGa) 12.00 The Act. (MA15+ans, R) 1.10 Travel Oz. (PG, R) 2.00 To Be Advised. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
WEDNESDAY,
April 9
THURSDAY,
7.30 7.30.
8.00 Restoration Australia. 9.00 Melbourne Comedy Festival Allstars Supershow. 11.00 ABC Late News. 11.15 The Business. (R)
11.35 Darby And Joan. (PGa, R)
6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Alone Australia. (M) Isolation begins to take its toll.
8.40 The Handmaid’s Tale. (Return) June’s unyielding spirit and determination pull her back into the fight to take down Gilead.
10.40 SBS World News Late. 11.10 Blackwater. (MA15+ln)
12.15 My Brilliant Friend. (Mav, R)
4.15 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning.
5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News.
7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)
7.30 The 1% Club UK. (PGa)
8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Takes a lighter look at all things AFL.
9.30 Unfiltered. (PGa) Hosted by Hamish McLachlan.
10.00 Jimeoin: Result. (Ml, R)
11.20 Autopsy USA. (Mad) 12.20 Midnight Texas. (Premiere, MA15+hv)
1.20 Travel Oz. (PG, R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6am The Final
Countdown. (1980, PG) 7.55 Heidi. (2015, PG, German) 10.00 Hounds. (2023, M, Berber) 11.45 Couch Potatoes. (2017, M, Italian) 1.40pm Malcolm. (1986, PG) 3.15 Bride And Prejudice. (2004, PG) 5.20 Goal! (2005, PG) 7.30 Logan’s Run. (1976, M) 9.40 Shin Ultraman. (2022, PG, Japanese) 11.50
This Is Spinal Tap. (1984, M) 1.25am Motherhood. (2022, Japanese) 3.30 Late Programs.
April 10
12.20 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R)
1.05 Long Lost Family. (PG, R)
1.50 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)
3.25 Rage Closer. (R)
3.30 Sherwood. (Final, Mal, R)
4.30 Gardening Australia. (R)
5.30 7.30. (R)
Young Jedi Adventures. 7.50 The Inbestigators. 8.05 Operation Ouch! 8.35 BTN Newsbreak. 8.40 Secrets Of The Zoo. 9.25 Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking. 10.05 Merlin. 10.50 Late Programs.
6.00 Mastermind Australia.
6.30 SBS World News.
7.30 Concorde: Chasing A Dream. (PGa, R)
8.30 Sydney’s Super Tunnel.
9.30 Virdee. (M)
10.35 SBS World News Late.
11.05 Breaking Point. (Mlv)
12.00 Blinded. (Malns, R)
1.45 Desperate Measures. (Malv, R)
3.25 Inside The Modelling Agency. (PGl, R)
4.20 Bamay. (R)
5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG)
7.30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (PG) Graeme Hall travels to the Peak District.
8.30 Britain’s Got Talent. (PG) Auditions begin as weird, wacky and wonderful acts compete in front of celebrity judges.
9.45 The Amazing Race. (PG) Hosted by Phil Keoghan.
11.15 The Chernobyl Disaster. (Ma, R)
12.15 Emergency Call. (PGa, R)
1.15 Harry’s Practice. (R)
2.00 To Be Advised.
4.00 NBC Today.
5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 NBN News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (PGl) 8.30 The Grand Tour. (MA15+l) 9.50 Freddy And The Eighth. (Ml) 10.50 9News Late. 11.20 The Equalizer. (Mav, R)
6am White Lion. Continued. (2010, PG) 7.00 Goal! (2005, PG) 9.10
Emu Runner. (2018, PG) 11.00 Gloria Bell. (2018, M) 12.55pm Falcon Lake. (2022, M) 2.50 The Movie Show. 3.25 Shin Ultraman. (2022, PG, Japanese) 5.30 Goal! 2: Living The Dream. (2007, PG) 7.40 The Devil Has A Name. (2019, M) 9.30 Evil Does Not Exist. (2023, M, Japanese) 11.30 The Big Chill. (1983, MA15+) 1.30am Late Programs.
9GO! (83)
9GO! (83)
Dungog Arts Society Inc.
Dungog Archies Faces & Places Exhibition
Opening Friday 6.30pm 4 April 2025 at 266 Dowling Street, Dungog. www.dungogarts.com.au
Gloucester Pre-School & Early Years Learning Centre is looking to employ 2 highly motivated males or females to be part of our vibrant, dynamic and friendly team.
We are offering the following CIII part-time positions:
• Monday to Thursday 9am to 1pm; 16 hour week.
• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, Friday 9am to 3pm (not required in school holidays); 24 hour week. Qualification and hours are negotiable.
Applicants can access our website ‘www.gloucesterpreschool. com.au’ and follow the directions under Positions Vacant. Applications close 4th April 2025.
Enquiries to director@gloucesterpreschool.com.au or call Kareen on 0265581643.
(EU) / 6.5 (AU) 1x Academy 39 (EU) / 6B (AU). Dungog area. 0425 334 153
Public Notices
Dorin’s Draws
By Paul DORIN
On theCouch
Email Jasminda: media@newsofthearea.com.au
DEAR Jasminda,
I HAVE a friend who is a beautician. She gives me cheap massages and facials but she talks the whole way through the experience and it's torture. Can I tell her to be quiet?
Rebecca D..
Dear Rebecca,
Unfortunately in this world, you get what you pay for, and when you want an hour-long silent massage, you have to pay full price. Your friend sees your massage and facial treatments as a chance to catch up, and rightly so if you are only paying a fraction of the normal cost.
News Of The Area
I think you should come clean and suggest that having a massage is one of the few times you get to relax.
If your friend is a good friend, she will completely understand.
Maybe suggest that you catch up for coffee on another day, so you can chat about life without your head in the massage table face port.
It's never easy to talk during a massage anyway because you are too busy drooling or else clenching your teeth as the masseuse pummels the knots in your neck and shoulders. Alternatively, you could save your conversations for treatments that are torture anyway - eyebrow and underarm waxing, chemical peels, eyeliner tattoos, and laser sunspot removal. During these treatments, you can not only chat, but also scream or cry for mercy.
While not quite the same as talking about the kids or your latest holiday plans, it will let your friend know that you are fully present.
Alternatively, book in to see a professional that you have no social ties to.
You will then be able to sigh or scream or remain as silent as a stone without feeling bad about it.
Peas
Kids Boot Camp 035
Carpe diem, Jasminda.
New doctors at Gloucester MediCo
THE team at Gloucester MediCo is thrilled to announce the arrival of five new doctors to the practice.
Each brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a passion for patient care.
“Our community is fortunate to welcome Dr Jeremy Yeo, Dr Matin Ly, Dr TT Kakadumane, Dr Ashley Bailey, and Dr Nadiah Jamaludin,” said Practice Manager Melissa Williams.
“They are eager to meet and serve the community as they embark on their various GP training pathways.”
q
Dr Jeremy Yeo is committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive care.
Graduating from University of Newcastle in 2016, he has been working in the Hunter region for the last eight years in acute medicine.
Dr Yeo is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of his patients not only in Gloucester but also in Stroud.
Dr Matin Ly brings a dynamic approach to family medicine, emphasising
preventive care and patient education.
She came from Cambodia in 2013 to pursue her medical training in Australia.
Dr Ly completed her medical degree at University of Newcastle in 2018 and completed her internship and residency at Liverpool Hospital.
She has also worked in hospitals in the Hunter New England Local Health District and in general practice in Forster.
Dr TT Kakadumane has a keen interest in rural and
remote healthcare and aims to make a positive impact on the community.
An MBBS graduate from the University of Tasmania, Dr Kakadumane has worked in general medicine in both rural, regional and metropolitan areas in NSW, SA and QLD.
He has a special interest in chronic diseases and anaesthetics.
Dr Ashley Bailey is a graduate from Newcastle University, completing her degree in 2020.
She has spent the last
six months working in the Hunter area in emergency medicine and is passionate about rural and remote medicine.
Her goal is to ensure all patients receive personalised and empathetic care.
Dr Nadiah Jamaludin graduated from the University of New South Wales Medicine and has spent her career to date working in the Hunter New England area.
She has a keen interest in chronic disease management and palliative
care and is looking forward to immersing herself in the community and its healthcare needs.
“Together, these five doctors bring diverse skills and perspectives to our practice,” said Ms Williams.
“They are looking forward to building strong connections with patients and contributing to the health and well-being of our community.”
Call the practice on 02 6558 1604 to make an appointment or book online at www.ourmedico.com.au.
(L-R) Dr Jeremy Yeo, Dr Matin Ly, Dr TT Kakadumane, Dr Ashley Bailey, Dr Nadiah Jamaludin.
Funding for disaster impacted communities
GRANTS are on offer to support communities in remote, rural and regional Australia to build back better after declared disasters or extreme weather events between 2019 and 2024.
Community groups and not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in affected regions are invited to apply for funding to reduce the impact of disasters and prepare for the future.
As extreme weather events increase in frequency and severity, the Rebuilding Futures program offered by the Foundation of Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) and Suncorp has strengthened its focus on supporting communities to be prepared and resilient.
This latest round of funding will provide grants across two funding streams for projects that can mitigate risks by adapting physical infrastructure, enhancing social connectedness or
building the capacity of NFPs.
Stream 1 offers grants up to $20,000, with applications now open.
This funding is for locally-prioritised recovery or preparedness initiatives that build resilience through equipment or infrastructure, enhance the wellbeing and the mental health of communities; create stronger networks; or develop resources that share information and enhance understanding of disaster risk.
Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, said the Foundation knows that many small, grassroots community groups struggle to access funding and expertise for projects that they know will help their community to prepare or recover, beyond the bricks and mortar.
“People often only see
the physical damage from disaster events but it’s important to take a holistic approach to supporting community recovery through a balanced focus on strengthening both built and social infrastructure, which is critical to longer-term community wellbeing.
“These events take a huge emotional toll on the community. It can really knock people about.
“Resilient, functional and well-resourced community meeting places are a critical component of the complex community recovery process, and we are incredibly pleased to be working alongside Suncorp to help local community organisations be better prepared for the future,” Ms O’Brien said.
Suncorp Chief Executive Consumer Insurance, Lisa Harrison, said helping communities to build back better after disasters was
crucial.
“We are proud to partner with FRRR to provide increased support to communities affected by disasters to recover faster and be better prepared for future extreme weather events,” Ms Harrison said.
“This funding is aimed at rebuilding essential community infrastructure, such as local meeting places, which are vital for fostering connection and growth within communities.
“This critical community infrastructure needs to be built to last, and it’s exciting to see significant advancements in technology and materials for mitigation infrastructure, which will greatly enhance our communities’ resilience to extreme weather.”
Applications close 5pm AEDT, 3 April 2025.
Funding will be awarded in June 2025.
q This latest round of funding will provide grants across two funding streams for projects that can mitigate risks by adapting physical infrastructure, enhancing social connectedness or building the capacity of NFPs.
Hunter landholders urged to stay flood-ready
WITH areas of the Hunter and Mid North Coast impacted by minor flooding over the weekend, Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) is reminding landholders that preparation is essential, especially for those living on floodplains.
“Though Tropical Cyclone Alfred brought some intense weather, the region was largely spared from major disruption, however this event should serve as a timely reminder of the need to
prepare for potential floods,” said Hunter LLS General Manager Brett Miners.
“When you live on a floodplain, having a flood plan just makes good farming sense.
“Planning will protect your home, property, and business.
“Most importantly, it helps ensure the safety of your livestock and pets,” he said.
Having a flood plan can significantly reduce the
impact of floods on your farm.
By knowing what to do and when, damage and losses can be minimised, ultimately helping landholders recover more quickly.
“Flooding can cause significant damage - it costs money to repair fences, clean up properties, and feed livestock,” Brett said.
“The reality is that it’s far cheaper to plan ahead and be prepared than to face the high costs of repairs or lost
production time.”
To help landholders prepare for future floods, Local Land Services has developed a comprehensive Farm Flood Readiness Kit.
The user-friendly resource provides a range of tools and templates to help landholders plan for floods.
It includes a flood readiness checklist, a flood plan template, and advice on how to access emergency information, such as BOM and SES warnings.
"Your flood plan doesn't need to be complicated,” Brett said.
“In fact, it should be as simple as possible so that if you’re away, someone else can implement it on your behalf."
The kit was developed in response to the 2015 Hunter region floods in consultation
WATERWATCH NSW and MidCoast Council are hosting a hands-on program to monitor the health of the Manning River Catchment.
MidCoast Council’s Manager of Natural Systems Gerard Tuckerman, said the project helps to ensure a sustainable future for our waterways.
“The program will provide the community with a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in monitoring their local waterway within the Manning River Catchment,” he said.
The program will focus on establishing three priority monitoring sites - Wingham Boat Ramp, Browns Creek, and Cattai Wetlands.
with local farmers.
“Every flood is different,” Brett said.
“It’s important to plan for all potential risks and impacts. By being prepared, you can get back to business faster and reduce the overall damage.
“It’s important to consider all a complete range of items on your farm - have you got sufficient food, clean water, battery radio, generator, fuel, first aid kit and emergency contacts if your property is isolated?
“Think about your fuel and chemicals – where can you store them so they are off the ground and can’t be washed away and once they are stored appropriately, keep the shed or storage area securely locked.”
An important factor in preparing a flood plan is
Members of the community will be trained in the Waterwatch process and work with other community members to collect water quality data for their catchment.
Waterwatch is a national citizen science initiative that has been running in the Manning area since 1995.
Volunteers receive free training and support to collect water samples, test water quality, and perform habitat assessments, all while contributing to valuable environmental data.
NSW Waterwatch Coordinator Rachael Kneeves, said it was important to help educate residents on the importance
ensuring your livestock and horses are safe during a flood event. Prior planning can ensure that you have a designated high ground area for animals, access to fresh water and sufficient fodder. In addition, familiarity with the safe zones can minimise stress and damage to your livestock.
Landholders should also consider having alternative relocation sites, especially in areas prone to prolonged flooding, and ensure the high ground areas are clear of debris and offer protection from the elements.
For more information on flood preparation and to download the Farm Flood Readiness Kit, visit https:// www.lls.nsw.gov.au/floods/ flood-preparation or call Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.
of a healthy environment.
“By regularly visiting your local waterway with a group of like-minded people, taking a sample of the water, running some basic tests, and uploading this information to a publicly accessible database, you can contribute to environmental research and conservation” she said.
A free training session will be held at Wingham Boat Ramp on Saturday, 5 April, from 10am to 2pm. Participants will learn everything they need to start monitoring their local waterway. Visit cen.org.au/events to book your place. Bookings are essential for catering purposes.
q By being prepared, landholders can get back to business faster and reduce the overall damage of floods.
Saxophonist wows Gloucester audience
By John WATTS
AWARD winning saxophonist
Nick Russoniello’s virtuosity and originality wowed the audience, which ranged from pre-schoolers to the retired, when they gathered for his one and only Gloucester concert in the high school assembly hall on Sunday 30 March.
Nick Russoniello is a
highly accomplished and dynamic saxophonist, composer, ensemble leader and educator.
He has been the recipient of major awards including the ABC Symphony Australian Young Performer of the Year Award, Fine Music Kruger Scholarship and a finalist for the Australian Freedman Fellowship.
The Gloucester concert,
Union: DVA cuts to harm veterans
THE Coalition's plan to cut 40,000 jobs from the public service will leave local veterans waiting years for the support they need, according to the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has indicated that roles within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), the Department of Health and the Department of Education are all on the chopping block.
“Cuts to public services will have devastating consequences for millions of Australians, including
the more than 10,500 veterans who live in the Newcastle, Hunter and Port Stephens region,” said Melissa Donnelly, CPSU National Secretary.
“Unfortunately, we have seen exactly how this plays out.
“Under the last Coalition Government, jobs in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs were cut and outsourced, leaving veterans lost in a backlog of almost 42,000 claims.
“Veterans were left waiting years for support they desperately needed and not getting it had devastating consequences.
sponsored by Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council (GACCI), was part of the performer’s Air Mass Australian tour.
“I thought it was a stunning and amazing performance,” said GACCI’s Jenny Lindsay.
“If we can offer this level of creativity in Gloucester it’s brilliant. It was also great to see so many kids here.”
Touring nationally in
“Peter Dutton’s plan to gut public services will take us straight back to the days of backlogs.”
Mr Dutton told reporters last week that public servants in Canberra have been “put on at record numbers” to appease unions.
“Now, the rate at which the public servants in Canberra have increased is at about three times the rate that it was under Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard when they were in government as Prime Ministers.
“It’s not an efficient way of spending $7 billion a year, and as a Liberal and particularly with the heavy influence from John Howard and Peter Costello, I want to spend taxpayers’ money efficiently.”
2025, the show combines extreme saxophone playing, audience generated sounds, live looping, body percussion and more.
At the Gloucester concert, where Russoniello played in turn his soprano, alto and bass saxophones, he cleverly blended audiencegenerated soundscapes,
live-looping, sampling, multitrack recording and body percussion.
Every piece played, ranging from the classical by Debussy and Telemann, to a Daft Punk composition, to several of Russoniello’s own works, was given the performer’s own special imaginative treatment -
aided by technology.
At the end of the advertised program the enthusiastic audience called for more, which Russoniello was happy to provide.
“I was awe struck – it was incredible,” said Kate Campbell. who had travelled with her husband from Maitland for the concert.
Parties at odds over direction of youth crime reform
THE NSW opposition introduced a bill in Parliament last week aiming to crack down on the “escalating youth crime crisis gripping regional communities”.
Member for Oxley Michael Kemp, said the bill offers stronger, more effective measures than the bail reforms recently passed by the Labor Government.
“This bill is a direct response to what I’ve been hearing from the community after a 12-month-long campaign,” Mr Kemp said.
“People are sick of weak laws that let repeat offenders run rampant with no real consequences.”
The bill proposes three key reforms:
• Expanding the definition of repeat offences – Serious indictable offences like murder or sexual assault will now be included, not just break and enter or motor vehicle theft.
• Introducing electronic monitoring and a mandatory curfew – These will become standard
conditions of bail for repeat youth offenders.
• Revoking bail for breaches – Bail will be automatically revoked if an offender breaches conditions, is charged with another offence while on bail, or interferes with their electronic monitoring device.
• Elevating the voice of victims – Victim impact statements will play a stronger role in court to ensure victims’ experiences are properly
Blanch and Falla in Women’s Golf Win
By Carolyn DAVIES
THERE was another good turnout of the Gloucester Golf Ladies for the first Women's Golf NSW Medal for 2025 on Wednesday 26 March; won in fine style by Evelyn Blanch in Division 1 and Gai Falla in Division 2.
The course was still wet from rain over the last few days, with the heavy conditions reflected in the scores. Indeed, a few of players admitted that they did not realise it was a stroke event and might have stayed home if they had known.
Evelyn Blanch seemed less concerned with the conditions, winning Division 1 with 76, while Gai Falla continued her winning form to take out Division 2 with 81. They
won a bag of goodies each, donated by Karen Howarth and Sally Higgins, the sponsors of the day's event. Dale Rabbett read the greens well and won the putting prize with a mere 27 putts over the 18 holes.
Balls were won by Carolyn Davies, 79, Dale Rabbett, 80, and Karen Howarth, 82. The Nearest-to-the-Pin prizes were won by magical Myrelle Fraser on the 4th and 13th holes, and by Carolyn Davies on the 6th and 15th holes.
On Wednesday 2 April, the Gloucester Golf Ladies will play an Individual Stableford and the following Wednesday a Monthly Medal in the form of an Individual Stableford is scheduled.
considered.
“These are real, practical legislative reforms that will help restore safety and confidence in our communities,” Mr Kemp said.
“Our towns should not have to live in fear because of weak laws.
“This is about giving the police the legal backing they need, standing up for victims, and making sure offenders face real consequences.”
Last Tuesday the NSW Government extended a law requiring a strict bail test
for young people accused of repeat car theft and break and enter offences.
The law restricts bail for young people aged between 14 and 18 if they are charged with certain car theft or serious break and enter offences while already on bail for the same type of offence.
It requires a judicial officer to refuse bail unless they have a “high degree of confidence the young person will not commit a serious indictable offence while on bail”.
Originally introduced in April 2024, the law would sunset next month without this extension.
“We can see this law is working and that’s why we’ve extended it – to make sure we break the cycle of youth offending and strengthen community safety,” Attorney General Michael Daley said. The law will only remain in place until October 2026, after pushback from the Greens and Coalition shortened the extension period.
Gloucester Men's Bowls Report
By George WISEMANTEL
THURSDAY social bowls had a field of thirty one players with our substitute bowls secretary selecting all matches of fours and big margins were the trend on the day with Andrew Henderson, Don Mehieloff, Chris Pritchard, Harry Cox only conceding six shots to def Neville Atkins, Craig Battams, Alex Laurie, Phil Ellis 35-6 (20+29) Runners up were George Wisemantel,
Jeff Kellie, Nigel Johns, Rob Cushway (swinger) def Kevin Everett, Garry Moss, Charlie Faulkner, Rob Cushway 29-10 (20+19) Norm Mcleod, Mike Sheely, Jody Thompson, Paul Young def Robert Hayes, Steve Kriss, Ken Bryant, Rob Gibson 25-16 (18+9) Vic Hebblewhite, Ian Tull, Terry Davies, Karl Weiss def Stephen Hurworth, Kevin Burley, Michael Way, Jai Thompson 31-14 (17+17)
The organisers of Saturday morning social mixed bowls cancelled
the day as they were worried about getting their permed hair wet but games will return next Saturday morning weather permitting Sunday the second round (quarter finals) of the Gloucester Betta and Flooring sponsored men's triples championships were contested which resulted in wins for Rob Gibson, Gordon Pritchard (sub for Max Stevens) Rob Cushway def Jai Thompson, Jody Thompson, Karl Weiss 35-19. Kevin Everett, Neville Atkins, Mike
Sheely def George Wisemantel, Steve Kriss, Ian Tull 33-25. Col Hebblewhite, Bruce Wilson, Kevin Baker def Aaron Kelly, Ben Philpott, Don Mehieloff 24-17. Mark Groves, Peter Sansom, Alec Laurie def Jason Cassidy, Stacey Groves, Peter Jones 25-19
The semi final will be played at 9.30 a.m. on Sunday 6 April between Kevin Everett's team and Max Steven's team and Mark Groves boys will compete against Col Hebblewhite's side
q Russoniello playing his bass saxophone.
q Russonniello with Jenny Lindsay, music teacher Sarah Soupidis and students Jacinta Watts and Sami Soupidis.
By Peter WILDBLOOD
CHRIS Clarke turned in the only round of the day at handicap to win the Gloucester Veteran Golfers outing on Tuesday, 25 March in heavy conditions after recent and overnight rain, not to mention some on the day.
The event was an Individual Stroke with a Putting competition in conjunction and sponsored by Julie and Steve Kriss. The winner with a net round of 72 was Chris Clarke.
Ball winners were Denver Webb 73, Paul Griffiths 74, Peter McIntyre and Ken Kelly 75, and Peter Buettel and Trevor Sharp 76. Paul Griffiths was the top putter on the day with a very low putting count of 26.
Vets victory
The Nearest-to-the-Pin trophy at the 4th and 13th holes was won by Trevor Sharp and Tony Burnet did the job at the 6th and 15th holes.
On Tuesday 1 April the Gloucester Veteran Golfers were due to play an Individual Stableford sponsored by Jim Spencer.
The following Tuesday, 8 April, there will be a Four Ball Better Ball Multiplier event sponsored by Sally and John Higgins.
q Chris Clarke and Steve Kriss.